Murray’s decision a bit perplexing

The cynic’s reaction to Tim Murray’s announcement that he wouldn’t run for governor was pervasive: No man, especially a politician, wants to spend more time with his family.

So when the letter emerged last week that the lieutenant governor may have broken campaign finance laws, the “aha” narrative arc was complete. Murray knew about that letter, knew he’d have no chance at the corner office, but continued to raise money to pay for legal fees before offering the old excuse about the wife and kids.

Murray did know about the letter, so the rest is certainly possible. But like many puzzling aspects about the rise and fall of Worcester’s golden boy, a simplistic narrative is unsatisfying.

On Friday, Murray faced reporters in his friendly hometown and fielded a barrage of unfriendly questions. And while our former Boy Mayor has many political gifts, deflecting tough queries with grace and aplomb has never been one of them. On television, he looks beleaguered and defensive, a tentative half smile fighting with the deer-in-the-headlights pose and a palpable sense that he’s struggling with his notorious temper. His answers sound evasive, rather than on point. He bristles, perhaps because soul-baring has never been his style.

For example, when one reporter bluntly asked if he can be trusted, Murray launched a long response about his record, while his supporters were likely shouting at the television: “Say yes, dammit, say yes!” He did, eventually, but it took too long. If he lacks the personal magnetism of more seasoned veterans, he makes up for it with less glamorous traits, such as determination and devotion to his job.

Many in Boston are claiming that Murray’s political career is over, after a recently released letter by campaign regulators suggested he may have violated state law by accepting campaign donations from a public employee who organized fundraisers for him. The fact that the employee is disgraced former Chelsea Housing chief Michael McLaughlin helps Murray not one whit, even though it was Murray himself who requested the probe. Written in September, the letter from the Office of Campaign and Political Finance refers the matter to Attorney General Martha Coakley for possible prosecution.

So it’s not looking good for the home team, especially considering that OCPF had more informal and less damaging options at its disposal. And things will likely get worse before they get better for Murray, as speculation is rampant that the ethically challenged McLaughlin will cut a deal with prosecutors and deliver a bigger fish, whether through fact or fiction.

The possibility that the former three-term Worcester mayor could face criminal charges is surreal to the many people who know and admire him. Over his 15 years in public office, he’s earned a solid reputation as an honest and hardworking public servant, a go-to guy who gets things done behind the scenes. And even though his association with McLaughlin carries a strong whiff of impropriety, supporters say it’s more a result of Murray’s loyalty and perhaps misjudgment, rather than political corruption.

“Anyone who knows Tim Murray knows he doesn’t have a dishonest bone in his entire body,” said City Councilor William Eddy, a longtime friend and supporter. “Anybody who thinks he’d intentionally do anything wrong doesn’t know the man. There’s no doubting his integrity or honesty. … Were mistakes made? I have no idea. It’s awfully hard at his level to know what everyone is doing. There’s an honor system in politics. You assume your supporters won’t embarrass you.”

Said City Manager Michael O’Brien, “He works his heart out on all issues, big and small, to help ordinary citizens. Ask my mayor and manager counterparts across the state and the stories will be the same. The man I know and respect is a public servant to his core.”

Murray’s latest blow comes a year after his mysterious, early morning car crash, for which he suffered massive political bruising. But the crash was overblown by the Boston media, which tended to treat the Worcester Democrat like a frat boy who must endure initiation to the big-city club. Boston columnists have always considered his gubernatorial ambitions delusional, claiming that he was “too small” even for the lieutenant governor’s post.

“It’s not that Murray never grew in the job,” claimed The Boston Globe’s Scott Lehigh. “He actually seemed to shrink there.”

Nonsense. Many disagree, including Gov. Deval Patrick, who has continuously praised his loyal second-in-command and stands by him today.